Introduction to St. Peter's Square: St. Peter's Square is an open-air square located directly in front of St. Peter's Basilica. The square was designed and built in 1667 by Bernini, the architectural genius known as the father of Baroque art. The square is slightly oval, 340 meters long and 240 meters wide. It is surrounded by two semicircular corridors. The ground is paved with small black square stones. Large-scale religious activities of the Holy See are held here. Every year before the New Year Every day, devout believers from all over the world gather here to listen to the Pope's New Year's blessings.